Three first half goals costly for Westmeath

All-Ireland U23: Down 4-6, Westmeath 1-9

A dreadful start from Westmeath was their downfall in this All-Ireland under 23 game in Clonduff Park, Hilltown on Saturday afternoon.

While Westmeath had dipped their feet in the water the previous week in a 0-12 to 0-7 defeat against neighbours Meath, this was Down's opening game and they really hit the ground running with scores over the first quarter from seven different players to give them a lead of 3-5 to 0-0 by the 15th minute.

Westmeath were simply not tuned in and couldn't cope in particular with the home side's full-forward line who stretched their defence time and again.

Yet after they got to grips with the problem, Westmeath worked their way back into the game and outscored Down by 1-9 to 1-1 over the remainder of the hour. It was a huge turnaround, but they still paid the price for their earlier faults and have now been eliminated from the competition (Kildare's withdrawal means there is no third game).

Daire O’Shea opened the scoring with a point in the first minute to which Caileigh McConnell added a second a minute later. The first goal arrived in the third minute with Niamh Savage finding the corner of the Westmeath net.

There was no respite for the visitors to Clonduff Park with a second goal in the sixth minute, this time Shanna Fettes taking a pass from O'Shea to hit the target.

That was quickly followed by a point from Niamh McConville playing on her home ground. Westmeath were still under pressure, but defended well until Niamh McGrath goaled in the 13th minute. That score meant that all six starting forwards for Down had contributed a score each at this stage. Niamh Savage and Shanna Fettis then stretched the Down lead to 14 points.

Eventually a point from Caoimhe McCormack settled the visitors and over the second quarter Westmeath worked their way back into the game with five points without reply. McCormack was the main scorer, quickly pointing a free after her first score. She brought her tally to four with Méadbh McLoughlin adding a fifth point before the break while defence had also established control. At 3-5 to 0-5, Westmeath had a battling chance in the second half.

Down lost centre half back Dearbhla Coleman to injury just before half-time. In the re-shuffle Ellie McCabe came in as a sub and the Castlewellan teenager announced her arrival with a point within two minutes of the re-start. That was to be Down's only score until the 50th minute.

A goal from Orlaith Winters sparked a purple patch for Westmeath. Caoimhe McCormack fired over three points and Karen Keegan another and suddenly the gap had closed to three points with ten minutes remaining.

Down, however, rallied and a goal from Niamh McGrath stalled the comeback. It gave the home side the lift they needed to hold out for a six points victory.

Caoimhe McCormack was central to her team's revival while Áine Newman and Karen Keegan played their part. However, the game was essentially decided over the first 15 minutes when the home side made hay.

Teams and scorers - Down: E Douglas, O Brown, E Fitzpatrick, K Morgan, C Savage, D Coleman, E Daly, O McCusker, S McGrath, C McConnell (0-1), N McConville (0-1), N Savage (1-1), D O’Shea (0-1), N McGrath (2-0), S Fettes (1-1).

Subs: E McCabe (0-1) for D Coleman (h-t), K Quinn for D O’Shea (51), T Cowan for N McGrath (54), C Dorrian for O Brown (57).

Westmeath: Courtney Carroll, Katie Penrose, Ciara Gately, Tara Geraghty, Darcey Ryan, Becca Ruane, Phoebe Bate, Áine Newman, Caitríona Flynn, Elisha Gavigan, Karen Keegan (0-1), Alice Dilo, Orlaith Winters (0-1), Caoimhe McCormack (0-7, 6 frees), Meadbh McLoughlin (1-0). Rest of panel: Emer Jackson, Anya Boyle, Áine Ní Dhaibhéid, Rebecca Daly, Kirsty Fivey, Aimee Henry, Elisha Gavigan, Holly Dowdall.

Referee: Philip McDonald (Cavan).